What is Niagara Falls like in the summer?

Yeah, summer is peak season here, so expect wall-to-wall crowds, humid heat, and everything operating at full throttle. The falls themselves are spectacular—you’ll get drenched on the Maid of the Mist boat tour (runs every 15 mins, $28.25 CAD per adult) and the mist creates rainbows constantly. But the walkways along the gorge and Clifton Hill will feel like a theme park on a Saturday. If you hate lines, book the Journey Behind the Falls (around $24 CAD) online in advance or go early—like 8:30 AM early.

The good: you can do the Cave of the Winds (US side, $26 USD) and actually feel the full force of the Bridal Veil Falls without freezing. The bad: parking is a nightmare and will cost you $20-$40 CAD for the day, plus every restaurant in the tourist zone is overpriced and mediocre. Skip the Skylon Tower dinner—go for the observation deck view ($18.50 CAD) and eat at a proper spot like The Syndicate in the Niagara-on-the-Lake area instead. Summer nights are lit with fireworks (10 PM, free) and the falls are lit up in colors, which is worth sticking around for. Just bring a light jacket—it gets cool near the water even in July.